Steps To Success

By Abby Brunner

Candyapple833@yahoo.com

Riding Winter Style

   When one of my riding buddies brought to my attention the notion of winter mountain biking, I did what any other mammal on earth would have done: I cringed at the thought of riding my bike in piles of snow in subzero temperatures! But after one attempt, I was hooked. Winter is really one of the best times to ride, lets face it, no flies, fleas, or mosquito's to get in the way of having a great time, and best of all, since there is snow on the ground there are softer landings when you bail (unless you hit a patch of ice of course).
  

   There are some critical tips in winter riding that shouldn't be forgotten or ignored. First is to winterize your bike. You may be wondering what that is, but to the lazy (or motivationally challenged as we call them here at MBT) don't fret: It's not as hard as winterizing your car. Step one is to select the right tires, which should be wider across with widely separated knobs. Step two is to put low temperature grease in bicycling bearings to make it easier to steer and pedal. Another thing that is important while winter riding is mastering the unique techniques required to ride (or just to survive for that matter). Pedal smoothly and relax your upper-body, especially on ice and soft snow. On soft powder you should always keep in mind that higher speeds actually take less effort then lower speeds because at lower speeds your tire will sink into the snow. Practice once again makes perfect in order to be a skilled winter rider. Practice riding in straight lines in good conditions on trails so the technique transfers even under bad conditions. Now onto what I consider to be the most important factor of getting wild in the snow: Dressing warmly! Make sure your clothing is warm and comfortable. If you are warm before you start it's a sign that you may be overly dressed and could last no longer than a half hour due to the enclosed nature of your body heat. Dress in layers so you are able to adjust your clothing to the ever- changing conditions of your ride. You have to keep the layers of your legs tight to avoid catching materials on your bike chain. It is critical to keep hands warm as they receive a majority of the oncoming air. Make sure you use heavy gloves that keep you warm and still allow you to brake and switch gears. Your face and head should be covered at all times, and you may want to wear a headband, hat, or facemask in breezy or blistery conditions. There are even some hats made specifically to fit under helmets. If you find cold air reaching through the helmet try taping over the vents. If your feet happen to get cold get off the bike and run with it as the increased blood flow should get you back in shape without so much wind resistance directly on your feet.
  

   Any outdoor activity (mountain biking included) can cause rapid dehydration, which decreases blood volume, which in turn makes you more vulnerable to frostbite. If your face feels cold or numb, stop and warm up before frostbite sets in and if your riding with others watch their faces for white spots and have them do the same for you.
  

   Winter riding can be great fun but it's essential to dress warmer, modify your equipment, and pay better attention to braking techniques. Carry extra clothing and food, like a power bar, on those long trips. Now stop reading about how great it is and get out there and experience the joy of winter riding for yourself.